September 29, 2001
Pitt-Johnstown Wins WC Invitational
WC's Greenback Makes Tourney Team

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- The University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Lady Cats were the only NCAA Division II squad at this weekend's Washington College Invitational and it showed. The Lady Cats went 5-0 in the tournament, winning all but one of their matches in three straight games, to capture the championship.

In pool play, Pitt-Johnstown swept past Richard Stockton Friday night and Marymount Saturday morning, but played a five-game thriller against Gallaudet in between. The Lady Cats posted a 28-30, 30-17, 22-30, 30-12, 15-7 win against the Bison, the only team to take even one game from them. In the semifinals, Pitt-Johnstown continued to roll, defeating St. Mary's (MD), 30-15, 31-29, 30-24.

In Saturday's championship match, the Lady Cats squared off against King's College, the defending tournament champions. The Monarchs kept things close in the first two games, but Pitt-Johnstown posted 30-28 and 33-31 victories. After that, the Lady Cats closed things out in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 30-13 win in the final game to secure the invitational crown.

King's came into the final match having swept through four straight opponents - St. Mary's (MD), Villa Julie, and the host Shorewomen in pool play and Richard Stockton (30-17, 30-13, 30-17) in the semifinal round.

Both Pitt-Johnstown and King's had two players selected to the All-Tournament team. Junior middle hitter Mary Speicher (Berlin, PA/Berlin) and freshman setter Megan Beavers (Zelienople. PA/Seneca Valley) represented the Lady Cats, while junior setter Katie Baffone (Newark, DE/St. Mark's) and senior outside hitter Sandy Tarabochia (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) were tabbed from the Monarchs.

Below are Washington College match summaries, followed by the All-Tournament team and complete invitational results.

Washington College Match Summaries

Villa Julie 3, Washington College 1 (30-17, 29-31, 30-23, 30-23)
Though they failed to pick up their first match win of the season, the Shorewomen (0-16) took the second game from Villa Julie in this exciting four-game contest. Washington led early in the first game and were in the third and fourth games until the Mustangs pulled away late. Freshman outside hitter Laura Greenback (Riva, MD/South River) tallied 15 kills for WC in the loss, while junior setter Amy Milauskas (Ellicott City, MD/Seton Keough) posted 36 assists and three service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Theresa Pyzik (Baltimore, MD/Mercy) served five aces of her own. WC MATCH STATS

St. Mary's (MD) 3, Washington College 0 (30-17, 30-11, 30-25)
Greenback, tabbed as an All-Tournament selection, notched seven kills while committing just two errors to lead the Shorewomen. Junior middle hitter Beka Beckett (Cordova, AK/Cordova) served three aces, while Milauskas chipped in 14 assists in Washington's first match on Saturday. WC MATCH STATS

King's 3, Washington College 0 (30-19, 30-15, 30-18)
Greenback led the Shorewomen in kills and hitting for the third consecutive match, tallying eight kills against four errors. She also recorded a team-high 12 digs. Milauskas added 14 assists, while junior middle hitter Katie Froning (Kennett Square, PA/Kennett) made one solo block and assisted on another. WC MATCH STATS

All-Tournament Team
Laurie Anderson (Gallaudet), Katie Baffone (King's), Megan Beavers (Pitt-Johnstown), Laura Greenback (Washington), Greta Henley (Richard Stockton), Tiffany Langan (Villa Julie), Jeannie Long (St. Mary's), Mary Speicher (Pitt-Johnstown), Sandy Tarabochia (King's), Brandi Taylor (Marymount).

Complete Results